Apparatus for treating petroleum distillates



Feb- '21, 1939- R. E. BURK ET AL APPARATUS FOR TREATING PETROLEUM DISTILLTES Filed March 9, 1956 ,Q N n l y X U5 m N AIJIX ATTORNEY.;

Patented Feb. Z1, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE APPARATUS FOR TREATING PETROLEUM DISTILLATES Application March 9, 1936, Serial No.` 67,904

1 Claim.

This invention relates to treating-apparatus, and more particularly apparatus for treating petroleum distillates with alkaline sulphur-removing media; and it is among the objects of the invention to provide equipment capable of maintaining equilibrium in the system without close supervision by technical operators. Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing the sole figure is a semi-schematic elevational View of apparatus em bodying the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown a series of chambers 2, 3, 4, in

which the petroleum distillate is washed progressively with the alkaline sulphur-removing media,

as for instance a caustic soda solution, the distillate entering the system through connection 5, and thence passing from the mixing chamber 2 by a connection 6 to chamber 3, and thence by a connection 'I to chamber 4, being successively subjected to mixing with the alkaline medium, as caustic soda solution, and owing off progressively to the next chamber in the series, a constant inter-face level as the inherently immiscible liquids separate being maintained in each chamber by a suitable means such as a float II) having a link II pivoted at I2 to the lever arm I3 of an over flow valve I4 on the distillate connection. From the nal treating chamber 4, a connection I5 may lead to a water-washing chamber I6 in which water is supplied by connection I'I to intermix with the distillate and separate and be drawn off at I3, While the distillate is taken off at I9.

The caustic soda solution is moved generally `counter-currently to the direction of flow of the distillate, and may be introduced by a connection into the last treating chamber 4, from whence it passes by connection 2I back to treating chamber 3, and thence by connection 22 to a regenerating chamber 23, in which the caustic soda solution is mixed with a solution of elemental sulphur in an organic solvent, as benzol, aliphatic or naphthenic hydrocarbons, as set forth in United States Patent No. 2,009,954. The caustic soda solution and the organic solution of sulphur are mingled counter currently to each other and being inherently immiscible, finally separate and are drawn olf to their respective lines, the caustic soda solution passing through line 20 to the chamber 4, and the organic solution of sulphur circulating around through a connection 25, whose inlet is governed by a constant level valve I4, and the connection 25 leading through a sulphur-containing chamber 26 back to the mixing chamber 23. Desirably, two relay chambers for sulphur, 26 and 2B are provided, such that one can be replenished While the other is on the line, cutout valves being suitably arranged for this purpose.

The caustic soda solution proceeding counter currently against the distillate progressively becomes loaded up with mercaptides, and in the regenerating chamber 23 is then purified for recycling reusage. A progressive loss of causticity, although small, occurs, and this is proportionately replenished from a stock container 29. For this, we prefer to draw a determined amount by a pump 30 whose feed chamber 3| connects with the caustic soda supply 29 and discharges through the line 20 into the treating chamber 4 of the serie-s. At the same time, the pump 30, which is of multiple character, proportionally pumps by its feed-chamber 32 an amount of regenerated caustic soda solution coming from the regenerator 23. At the same time, and in proportion, an amount of the used or spent caustic soda solution is drawn off from the end of its contact-series with the distillate, as by connection 34. This may be taken off through a control valve 35 providing a proportional draw off as rated against the input of fresh caustic soda from supply chamber 29. Or, preferably, the draw off of spent caustic solution is handled by the same pump 30 through its exhaust chamber 36, whereby the amount withdrawn is exactly in balance with the amount put into the system fresh from the supply chamber 29, through feed chamber 3 I With such equipment, distillates containing sulphur may be treated in automatic manner for removal of the objectionable sulphur compounds, and the treating system is at all times in a state of equilibrium, without hazard of disturbance of balance from input of fresh treating agent or withdrawal of spent agent.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in the following claim, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:-

In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of chambers in which petroleum distillate may be mixed with a treating agent, a conduit leading from the top of each of said chambers through which the distillate is adapted to flow, a valve in each of said conduits for maintaining a constant level of distillate, a passage leading from the bottom of each of said chambers, through which the treating agent is adapted to 110W, a pipe to admit distillate and treating agent substantially in the middle portion of each of said chambers, a second plurality of chambers containing means for regenerating said 

